Trap controlled feed-water system for boilers



sept' 2, 1947. R. R. wATElMAN f 2,426,909l

` TRAP CONTROLLED FEED WATERv SYSTEM FOR BOILERS Filed Agg, 5, ,1944 2sheets-sheet 1 R.R. waterman Sept. 2, 1947." R. R. WATERMAN 2,426,909

TRAP CONTROLLED FEED WATER SYSTEM FOR BOILERS Filed ug. 5, 1944 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 2, 1947 OFFICE e 2,426,909 j TRAPCONTROLLED FEED-WATER SYSTEM FOR BOILERS Russell R. Waterman, Lodi,Calif.

Application August 5, 1944, serial No. 548,224

This invention relates to water feeding means for steam boilers orgenerators, my principal object being to provide a steam trap controlapparatus or system readily applicable to any conventional orother typeof boiler or steam generator, by means of which the feeding of the waterto the boiler lwill be automatically controlled by the functioning ofthe trap and as determined by the water level in the boiler.

A further object is to provide an apparatus for the purpose which may bereadily adapted to control the operation of any type of water feed pumpor other device, whether operated by steam, electric motor, or otherpower.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensiveapparatus, and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for thepurpose for which itis designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relativearrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the followingspecification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a diagram of my improved water feed system as applied to aconventional boiler.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of one form of steam trap.

Figure 3 is a similar view of one form of pressure control valve used inthe system.

Figures 4, 5, and 6 are diagrams of the system as operating withdilTerent forms of water feed devices.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on thedrawings, this system as here illustrated, and as applied to aconventional or any other type boiler I, includes a water column 2 orits equivalent connected to the boiler above and below water level bysteam and water pipes 3 and 4 respectively.

Another pipe 5 is connected to the column 2 just above high water levelline 6 in the column (and of course in the boiler also), said pipeleading to a steam trap 1. This trap may be of any suitable type and ashere shown comprises a steam-tight body 8 to which the pipe 5 isconnected, and having an outlet passage 9 which depends into the trapiioat I0; said float having a valve II which closes the outlet; 9 whenthe oat is up and is supported by water in the normal level. The outlet9 is connected by a pipe I2 to a pressure controlled valve I3 of anysultable type. As here shown this valve comprises a body I4 having apressure intake I5 in one end `2 claims. (ol. 12g-451) to which the pipeI2 is connected and a steam intake Iinits opposite end.V A valve I'I isslidably mounted in the body in position to close the intake I6, saidvalve having an enlarged head I8 and'being normally pressed in thedirection of the intake I5 and held open by a spring I9 in the bodyengaging said head. A pressure tight diaphragm 20 is mounted in the bodybetween the head I 'I and intake I5,andv beyond the diaphragm the bodyhas a steam outlet 2I normally communicating with the intake I6. Thesteam intakel is connected by a pipe 22 with the steam'zone of theboiler, preferably utilizing a portion of; the pipe 3 for this purpose.The outletv 2| is connected by a pipe 23 with the steam operating end 24of a water pump 25 of any suitable type which feeds to the boiler. Thewater passing from the pump to the boiler preferably passes throughVaheater 26 which is heated by the exhaust vsteam-from the pump, as iscommon practice. Another pipe 21 with a restricted valve 28 or theequivalent therein connects the pipe I2 and the exhaust steam line 29 ofthe pump.

In operation, as long as the water in the boiler is vbelow normal level,steam will flow into the trap body and the float I0 is raised, holdingthe valve II closed. The pressure control valve I3 is therefore notaiected and remains open, allowing steam to flow to the pump to operatethe same and thus supply water to the boiler. As soon as the Water levelraises slightly above normal, said Water flows into the trap, the latteroperates in the conventional manner, and this water under pressure flowsthrough the trap outlet 9 and pipe I2 to the pressure control valve.Here this water acts against the diaphragm 20, closing the valve IIagainst the resistance of the spring I9 and thus stopping the ow ofsteam to the pump. The valve Il remains closed as long as the waterlevel in the boiler remains high` enough to flow water to the trap andfrom the trap to the diaphragm. When this flow stops the steam pressurein the trap forces the water from the cup II) in the conventionalmanner, such water gradually bleeding through the restricted valve inpipe 2l until the cup I0 is empty whereby the valve I 0 closes. Thevalve I'I is then opened by pressure of the spring I9, any water in thepipe I2 likewise bleeding through pipe 2'I. The pressure control valveI3 thereupon again opens, starting the pump and again replenishing thesupply of water.

In Fig. 4, I show the system as operating with a constant-pressure watersupply line, such as a water pipe tapping a city main. In this case, thepressure controlled valve I3 is interposed directly in the water pipe 3Bleading from the pressure source to the boiler, the valve being openwhen the water is relatively low in the boiler.

In Fig. 5 I show the system as applied to the bypass 3l of apressure-tank 32, to which water is supplied by a constant speed pump33. In this case, the bypass 3l is connected at one end to the waterfeed pipe 34 leading from the tank to the boiler; the other end of thebypass leading from said one end back to the tank. The pres'- surecontrolled valve 35 isinterposed in the bypass and is arranged so as toclose the same when the water in the boiler is low, and to open thebypass so that the now from the tank will pass therethrough, instead ofto the boiler, when. the water is high in the boiler.

In Fig. 6, the pressure controlled unit 36 ac. tuates an electric switch31 interposed in the circuit 38 of an electric motor 391which operatesthe water feed pump 4u; the switch being closed and the motor and l.pumpconsequently operating when the water level in the boiler is low.

In each instance of course the steam trap 1 is the initial andvessential controlling factor in the operation of thesystem.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination, a boiler having a predetermined normal water level,a. pump for delivering water to the boiler, a steam line leading to thepump for operating the latter, a valve casing in the steam line havingan inlet and an outlet in communication with said steam line, a springpressed valve within the casing for *establishing communication betweensaid inlet and outlet, the spring of the valve tending to normally holdthe valve open, a resilient diaphragm in the casing extendingy acrossthe casing in normal/contact with the stem of the valve, the casinghaving an inletto the interior thereof on the side of the diaphragmopposite to the side thereof which is in contact with the valve stem, asteam trap, the inlet side of the trap being in communication with thesteam line and with the boiler, a, pipe leading from the outlet side ofthe trap to the last named inlet in the casing, the trap functioningupon a risel of water in the boiler above the predetermined level topass water through such pipe to and into the casing against thediaphragm to thereby close the valve, and a restricted Outlet from thepipe between the trap and the casing.

2. In combination, a boiler having a predetermined normal water level,means to supply water to 1the boiler, a casing, a resilient diaphragmextending across the casing, the casing having an inlet into the same atone side of the casing, a steam trap, the inlet side of the trap beingin communication with the boiler, a pipe leading from the outlet side ofthe trap to the inlet in said casing, the trap functioning upon a riseof water in the boiler above the predetermined level to pass waterthrough. such pipe to and into the casing and against the diaphragm Vtodistend the same, m'eans interposed between the diaphragm and the watersupply means to the boiler and responsive to movements of said diaphragmto control the amount of water delivered to the boiler by such supplymeans, there being a restricted outlet from the pipe leading, from thetrap to the casing.

RUSSELL R.. WATERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Davin Nov. 18, 1'930Number

